Archived Major Oil Leak

[JReinhart]

I have discovered a major oil leak coming from the drivers side of engine on a 97 12v cummins. I was hoping that is was coming from the lift pump gasket or oil pressure sensor but it's not. The leak appears to be coming from what I can only describe as a dust cover attatched to the side of the engine below the head. There appears to be a gasket associated with this cover. My question is what is the function of this cover and if there is oil coming out from behind it do I have a terminal problem ie cracked block. The engine has 1,012,000 miles on it. The only thing I haven't done on it is rebuilding the bottom end ie it has a new head, turbo, injection pump and injectors. I can't find any information on what the function of the aforementioned cover is and why it could be leaking oil out of it.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The cover is the access cover to the valve lifters, there might be an oil drainback hole partially plugged causing the oil to build up and leak out or the gasket may just be bad. I am looking at an aftermarket manual and it looks like the crankcase vent may be in the side of the cover? Is it restricted? bg

 

[JReinhart]

The cover is the access cover to the valve lifters, there might be an oil drainback hole partially plugged causing the oil to build up and leak out or the gasket may just be bad. I am looking at an aftermarket manual and it looks like the crankcase vent may be in the side of the cover? Is it restricted? bg

I noticed that the side cover gasket is not in contact and will attempt to tighten said cover bolts/screws and see if it draws it back into contact. After power washing the block I could see oil bubbling from the gasket area. As described in posting I have over 1,000,000 miles and blow by is hefty. Not knowing wether or not there is oil behind this cover concerned me.

 

[Joe G.]

I think there is some sort of sound reducing pad over the cover that may look like it is loose. The cover may not be loose.

 

[WoodT]

Sorry Im no help but I think thats AMAZING you ahve over a million miles on the bottom end. I knew these motors were built to last but thats AWESOME. What do you do for a living to put miles on the truck that fast?

 

[JOdell]

Does TDR make a 1,000,000 mile tag? If not they should and put your truck on the tag. Good ol' Cummins they do make them like they used to huh. -Jason